Justification:Morone chrysops has been assessed as Least Concern. This species has a broad distribution across the United States and Canada and occupies a range of habitat types. It has expanded its range and is increasing in abundance in areas. There are no known major threats reportedly impacting the population of this species, and therefore the population of this species is reported to be stable.

This species is native to the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Manitoba and south to Louisiana; Gulf Slope drainages from Mississippi River, Louisiana, to Rio Grande, Texas and New Mexico (Page and Burr 1991). It has been introduced widely within and outside its natural range.

This species is known from a range of habitat types including the open waters of large lakes and reservoirs, to the pools of slow-moving small and large rivers. This species is typically seen in schools at the water surface. During the day this species is seen offshore in the open waters of the lake, and at night it moves inshore. It displays an avoidance for areas of continuous turbidity. Spawning grounds are usually in the running water of tributary streams with rock or gravel substrate, or along lake shores with high wave action. Individuals tend to return to specific spawning grounds.

There are no known major threats thought to be causing a significant decline in the population numbers of this species. In some areas of its range, it is under pressure for resources due to competition with the invasive species Morone americana. This species is also fished recreationally, however this does not appear to pose a significant threat to this species as it is described as growing in abundance in areas and expanding its range.